question for canadian (ontario) members (1 Viewer)

[Frank Bon]

I reside near Buffalo, NY and have heard that some great buys on paradigm speakers can be had just up north. Can anyone reccomend a place with great prices and service. I am willing to drive as far as Toronto if I have to. If I can get just as good a deal in Ft. Erie,St Cath, Welland, or Niagara Falls that would be even better. Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer any advice. You can pm or email me: [email protected]

 

[Martin Rendall]

I've had pleasant experiences at Audio One in Toronto. Check the web site for their address. They offer a pretty reasonable price up front, before any haggling you manage to do.

Best luck,
Martin.

 

[Paul Bryan]

I live in the Detroit area & purchased Paradigm's in Windsor... There is definately money to be saved, even, in most cases, if the dealer won't budge off MSRP...
Check out the dealer locator on Paradigm's web site. I believe there is a dealer in St. Catherines, give 'em a call and see what they have in stock, and go for a listen... For and idea of the possible savings, I saved over $800 US on a pair of Studio/60's, and CC, and a PW-2200 vs. what I was quoted by a dealer on this side of the border...

--Paul

 

[Elliot_W]

I second the Audio One recco. I picked a pair of studio 20s for $635 CAD (before tax).

They gave me only a so-so price on the PW2200 ($825), but I am sure they could go down to $775-$800.

Ask for Alex - good guy.

The nice think about this dealer is you can compare like paradigms side by side with B&Ws.

Note: You prob. have to add on 8% for Ontario Tax, but the dealer will charge you 15% (Ontario Tax + 7% GST). You can reclaim the 7% at the border - so be prepared.

Audio one is in North Toronto - so don't expect to make a day of downtown sight-seeing as well....but you can check out the immense blandness of Toronto suburbia....

 

[Shawn Solar]

Try Gibby's in St. Catharines. They sell paradigm. So does East hamilton radio in hamilton.

 

[Paul Bryan]

FYI on the taxes... You have to pay both the GST and Ontario RST (Retail Sales Tax) at the store... You get GST back at the duty free shop on the way out, and the dealer should have a form to get Ontario RST refunded by mail...

So be prepared to pay the tax up front, and get the refunds in two stages after the sale...

--Paul

 

[Frank Bon]

thanks for the info, Paul. Anybody have suggestions of other brands of speakers mfg in Canada that can be purchased with a substantial savings in Canada?

 

[Elliot_W]

PSB - you can pick up the PSB Subsonic 7 Subwoofer for $800 CAD at Musonic (musonic.com). Compare that with $650 USD ($950 CAD) in the US.

Don't know much about PSBs speakers, but from what I hear they compare favorably with Paradigms.

Also check out Mirage, Energy or Athena: all the same company HQ in Toronto. The Mirage BPS-400 Sub can be had for $950 CAD at Kennedy Hi-Fi in North Toronto (so I am told). You prob. cannot pick up an accurate monster for that price in any part of the world.

 

[Nathan J]

Frank....I also live near Buffalo....have you ever been to the Speaker Shop in Amherst? They sell Paradigm...although there prices are somewhat high....you might be able to deal with them a litte though.

 

[Frank Bon]

Nathan, Yes I have heen to the Speaker Shop(not in the past 3 months) I did find their prices on the high side. My thinking is since paradigms and other mid-upper end speakers are manufactured in Canada;these speakers should be much less expensive to buy there.(plus I like the idea of being able to recoup my taxes and the favorable exchange rate helps too)I really think that suburbs south of Buffalo could use a good Hi-Fi & home theater store.

 

[Nathan J]

What town do you live in? What do you currently have for gear?

 

[Frank Bon]

Nathan, ygm

 

[Barry Lieberman]

PSB is a definate steal in canada when buying with US dollars. If you want to drive to Toronto, go to Great Metropolitan Sound and they should hook you up with a good deal. Stratus silvers and stratus golds are both great speakers and great values. PSB just launched their stratus platnum line if you really want to spend.

All the afore mentioned brands are also very good; mirage, Athena, Paradigm and Energy.

If you go to Great Met, at least you can stay downtown instead of going into the great bland north! (I used to work in Richmond Hill)

Barry

 

[Nathan J]

You also have mail Frank.